Seattle daily post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, W.T. [Wash.]) 1881-1888, 1887-06-12
rEsasYrvAsr. nlEIse Eaws.

A ahogt time sRs ws trek occasion 10 !
prtut an absfr4si Of the mininR laws Of
Gssat Britain and Briti4h CSlzzbia. |
and 10 sompars then VITA the meaere
prasisions Of sur Gods dtsn The sabiscs.
We End acoa investigates thai the
mining lava Of PsunsyI1Ania ars gate
a. exha1ssfvs a. these Of GFsaa Britain.
and thai the precautions aa0Vtsd 10
RuaTd aaAiRss acciden1s and lsss Of life
are IN that ssats very stringsnf. This
emphasizes the Statements that Ne have
hitherto made. that it - an absoIass
necessity that ne have in this Territory
more sstisfsstoTy mining code IL ne
stsh to secure tmmEniiy from aeci-
dents.
The mining laws Of the anthracite
coal districts Of PennsJlyania ss thsg
nov exist we're approved IN Jane. 1855.
and The ninatsnsss with which they
eoveF the sabisot may Be JAGGED from
the fact that they are contained in 9
elsssly printed psDpklst Of sixty pages
TIE laws are similar in their general
nature 10 those Of the countries that ue
have referred to. and indeed this Is bat
natural IN visv Of The fact that al laws
Of this kind simply emhody saeh Esles
and regulations - experiences has
shown 10 Be most effective in keeping
mines safe. and IN protecting The
miners. a. far a. possibls. from the dan
gers that bsset them. TIE Pennsylvania
act IL entitled An Ast to provide for
The health snd safety Of persons en-
pIoyed 10 and about the anthracite coal
mines Of Pennsylvania. and for the
pFOseotioD and preservation Of property
connected Herewith" Il makes ex-
hsostive proSision for the appointment
and regulation Of Inspectors. for the
making and furnishing OF surveys, maps
and plans. AID for the guarding Of
shafts. slopes and outlets. Il also pro-
vidss for the appointment Of certified
foFensn Who must receive . eertihcate
from the Secretary Of Internal Af2irs
after passing = satisfactory examination
and giving satisfactory evidences Of at
least Eve years practical experience and
Of good conduct. sspsbility and sObFisty.
There are also laid down hfty-tvo gen
sFsl rules which must be observed in
every mine to which the Get sppiies.
These rules cover almost every point
that IL is possible TO think Of, and bold
the mine owners or managers to q very
strict responsibility. In addition 10 the
general rules, special rules, Sd pied 70
the peculiar circumstances Of different
mines. must also DO made and con-
formed to. A noteworthy provision Of
the act Is that which relates 10 srbitra-
ton. IL q &c follows: Whenever an
inspector fnds any mine or colllery, or
part thereof, or any matter, ting or
parties connected With such mine,
which, In any respect thereof. Is not
covered by or provided against in any
provision Of this act, or by any special
rule, 10 be dangerous or defective, or, in
his iudament, tends 10 bodily injury to
. peFsoo. be shall give notice thereof in
writing TO the owner, operator or So
perintendent Of such nine or colliery.
stating in such notice the particular
matter requiring remedy, and may de-
mand shat the same be remedied, bu,
the owner. operator or superintendent
Of said mine or colliery shall have the
riRht TO refer the demand of the inspse
tor 10 board Of arbitration. and ths
demand shall then be arbitrstsd within
forty eiRh; hours Of the time such com
plAint or demand be made. Tue said
board Of arbitration shall be composed
Of three persons, one Of whom shall BE-
chosen by the inspector, one by the ssid
owner, operator or superintendent, and
the third by the two thus chosen, and
the decision Of q ns iOrity OF sush board
shall be hnsl snd binding In the
matter."
This Pennsylvania code seems = good
one in every respect and properly alter
ed TO suit the circumstances peculiar to
this Territory would serve as q mode
Tor our legislators in making the neees-
sAry laws.